Protective case for portable device

ABSTRACT

A protective case for a portable device having a touchscreen constructed from a back frame, a front frame, and a stretchable cover is disclosed herein. The back frame receives the device through an open front and the stretchable cover is stretched over the back frame and the device. A portion of the cover stretches over the back frame and device such that the device is securely held in the back frame. A front frame with a transparent screen protector that allows the touch screen of the device to be used while the device is frilly enclosed in the case is removably coupled to the back frame with grasping protrusions that connect to mounting portions on the back frame that extend through openings in the stretchable cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/786,974, filed on Feb. 10, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/897,031, filed on Feb. 14, 2018,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/210,448,tiled on Mar. 14, 2014 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,517 on Mar. 13,2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/782,110, tiled on Mar. 14, 2013, theentireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to user removable protective cases andenclosures for mobile electronic devices.

Description of the Related Art

Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, andthe like are known to sustain damage from impact and from contaminationas a result of the ingress of water or other fluids. Such damage mayresult, for example, in a cracked screen, scratches on a finishedsurface, lost or damaged buttons or controls, cracked or bent externalbody components, and/or failed or malfunctioning electrical components.Protective cases can protect mobile electronic devices from such damageand other types of damage.

SUMMARY

A protective case for a portable device having a touch screen isdisclosed herein. The case includes a back frame that receives theportable device, a stretchable cover that stretches over at least aportion of the back frame and the portable device when the portabledevice is in the back frame, and a front frame that has a transparentscreen protector that mounts over a portion of the stretchable cover andthe back frame such that the portable device is held between the backframe and the front frame.

The hack frame has an open front and is shaped to receive the portabledevice. Openings are provided in the back frame for any controls oroutputs of the device that am covered by the back frame. The back framemay preferably be a unitary molded piece that has a screened portionformed in a microphone opening that protects tine microphone. The backframe includes a camera flap cavity with sidewalls on an exterior of theback frame that receives a hinged camera flap which removably covers andseals the camera flap cavity. T he back frame also includes compressionpad cavities on an interior surface of the back frame and compressionpads mounted in the compression pad cavities. The compression padsensure a tight compression lit between the case and a portable deviceretained therein. The back frame includes an opening that allows a userto remove the portable device from the back frame by pushing on the backof the device. Raised portions on the back frame extend through openingsin the back of the stretchable cover to restrict movement of thestretchable cover with respect to the back frame.

The stretchable cover is constructed so that it can be stretched overthe back frame when the device is mounted in the back frame. The coverhas tabs and flaps that correspond to the control openings in the backframe and function to removably cover the controls and outputs of thedevice. When installed over the back frame, the stretchable cover hasportions that extend over the portable device mounted in the back frame.These portions of the stretchable cover ensure that the portable deviceis securely held inside the back frame and stretchable cover.

The stretchable cover includes a recessed front portion that is shapedto receive the front frame when the front frame is mounted on the coverand back frame. The front frame fits in the recessed front portion andclamps over the cover and back frame such that the portable device issecurely held between the back frame and the front frame and thetouchscreen of the portable device is protected and usable while thedevice is in the case. The stretchable cover also preferably includesbumper portions around the recessed from portion that extend past afront surface of the front frame when the case is assembled and thatcushion the case in the event of an impact.

The front frame is preferably coupled to the back frame with graspingprotrusions that mate with corresponding mounting portions on the backframe which extend through openings in the stretchable cover. The frontframe also preferably has a front frame control opening and thestretchable cover includes a button pad that extends through the controlopening. The flexible button pad forms a seal with the rigid front framecontrol opening and allows a control on the front of the portable deviceto be operated when the portable device is inside the case. The frontframe also preferably includes a speaker opening having a waterresistant insert and a camera opening with a transparent camera cover.J0009J The transparent screen protector may preferably be mounted on araised portion on the back of the front frame, lire stretchable coverhas a corresponding front cavity shaped to receive the raised portion ofthe front frame and screen protector and form a debris resistant seal.

Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forthin the claims and summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein,including the figures, may be combined without limitation to form claimsfor a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or method ofuse.

The figures provided herewith are intended to illustrate but not tolimit the invention. Like reference characters in the figures denotecorresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed case configured for amobile phone with a mobile phone retained therein.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a mobilephone that may be retained therein.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the back frame of the embodiment of FIG. 1with a mobile phone inserted into the back frame.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the insertion of the back frame of theembodiment of FIG. 1 into the stretchable cover while a mobile phone ispositioned in the back frame.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the back frame of the embodiment of FIG. 1inserted into the stretchable cover with a mobile phone held inside.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the clamping of the front frame over thehack frame and the stretchable rear cover of the embodiment of FIG. 1with a mobile phone enclosed therein.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosed case inunassembled form that is configured for a tablet computer.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 inassembled form.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a back view of the embodiment of FIG.8 inassembled form.

FIG. 11 is an isometric front view of an embodiment of the disclosedcase in assembled form that is configured for a touchscreen digitalmusic player.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 in unassembledform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

A protective case for a portable device having a touch screen isdisclosed herein, the case includes a back frame that receives theportable device, a stretchable cover that stretches over at least aportion of the back frame and the portable device when the portabledevice is in the back frame, and a front frame that has a transparentscreen protector that mounts over a portion of the stretchable cover andthe back frame such that the portable device is held between the backframe and the front frame.

The back frame has an open front and is shaped to receive the portabledevice. Openings are provided in the back frame for any controls oroutputs of the device that are covered by the back frame. Hie back framemay preferably be a unitary molded piece that has a screened portionformed in a microphone opening that protects the microphone. The backframe includes a camera flap cavity with sidewalls on an exterior of theback frame that receives a hinged camera flap which removably covers andseals the camera flap cavity. The back frame also includes compressionpad cavities on an interior surface of the back frame and compressionpads mounted in the compression pad cavities. The compression padsensure a tight compression fit between the case and a portable deviceretained therein. The back frame includes an opening that allows a userto remove the portable device from the back frame by pushing on the backof the device. Raised portions on the back frame extend through openingsin the back of the stretchable cover to restrict movement of thestretchable cover with respect to the back frame.

The stretchable cover is constructed so that it can be stretched overthe back frame when the device is mounted in the back frame. The coverhas tabs and flaps that correspond to the control openings in the back(tame and function to removably cover the controls and outputs of thedevice. When installed over the back frame, the stretchable cover hasportions that extend over the portable device mounted in the back frame.These portions of the stretchable cover ensure that the portable deviceis securely held inside the back frame and stretchable cover.

The stretchable cover includes a recessed front portion that is shapedto receive the front frame when the front frame is mounted on the coverand back frame. The front frame fits in the recessed front portion andclamps over the cover and back frame such that the portable device issecurely held between the back frame and the front frame and thetouchscreen of the portable device is protected and usable while thedevice is in the case. The stretchable cover also preferably includesbumper portions around the recessed front portion that extend past afront surface of the front frame when the case is assembled and thatcushion the case in the event of an impact.

The front frame is preferably coupled to the back frame with graspingprotrusions that mate with corresponding mounting portions on the backframe which extend through openings in the stretchable cover. The frontframe also preferably has a front frame control opening and thestretchable cover includes a button pad that extends through the controlopening. The flexible button pad forms a seal with the rigid front framecontrol opening and allows a control on the front of the portable deviceto be operated when the portable device is inside the case. The frontframe also preferably includes a speaker opening having a waterresistant insert and a camera opening with a transparent camera cover.

The transparent screen protector may preferably be mounted on a raisedportion on the back of the front frame. The stretchable cover has acorresponding front cavity shaped to receive the raised portion of thefront frame and screen protector and form a debris resistant seal.

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosed case2 in assembled form that is configured for a mobile phone 4. FIG. 2 is aback view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is an exploded view ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1. FIGS. 4-7 illustrate the assembly of theembodiment of FIG. I from its components parts.

The protective device case 2 is preferably constructed from three basiccomponents: a rear stretchable silicone rubber cover 6, a rigid plasticback frame 10, and a rigid plastic front frame 12. The embodiment shownin FIGS. 1-7 also has a camera cover 8 to accommodate a digital cameraon the back of the enclosed mobile phone 4. To assemble the case 2, thecamera cover 8 is inserted into a shaped camera flap opening 16 in therigid rear frame 10. The mobile phone 4 is then inserted into the backframe 10 as shown in FIG. 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the rigid backframe 10 with the mobile phone 4 inserted inside is further insertedinto the stretchable silicone rubber cover 6 which stretches over therear frame 10 such that the mobile phone 4 is firmly held inside therear frame 10 and a unitary assembly 14 is formed as shown in FIG. 6.Finally, the front frame 12 is clamped over the rear frame andstretchable cover assembly 14 with the mobile phone inside as shown inFIG. 7 such that the phone is firmly and securely held inside thecompletely assembled case 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, the front frame 12 is coupled tothe rear frame 10 by six grasping protrusions 18 that extend from thesides of the front frame 12. The front frame 12 is preferablyconstructed front a unitary, rigid plastic frame 22 with a transparentscreen protector 20 bonded to the frame. The screen protector 20 ismounted on a slightly raised portion 24 on the back of the front frame12. The raised portion 24 on the back of the front frame 12 tightly fitsinto a corresponding front opening 26 in the stretchable cover 6 suchthat a debris and moisture resistant seal is created between thestretchable cover 6 and the front frame 12. The screen protector 20 ispreferably bonded to the front frame 12 around its entire periphery suchthat a water tight seal is formed between the protector and the frontframe. A protective speaker cover 28 that allows sound to passrelatively unobstructed is mounted in an opening 30 in the front frame12 and screen protector 20 to allow; a user to hear sound front themobile phone's microphone while the mobile phone 4 is in the case. Anopening 32 in the front frame 12 with a transparent cover is alsoprovided for a camera on the front of the mobile phone 4. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that the precise location and configurationof the speaker, control and camera openings will vary based upon thetype of device that the case is designed to enclose.

As best shown in FIG. 3, an opening 34 in the front frame 12 is providedfor a control button 42 on the front of the mobile phone 4. Thestretchable silicone cover 6 includes a button pad 40 that fits throughthe opening 34 in die front frame 12. The button pad 40 protects thecontrol button 42 on the front of the phone while allowing it to be usedwhen the phone is enclosed within the case. In addition, die compressionfit between the front frame 12 and the back frame 10 creates aprotective, debris-resistant seal between the relatively rigid buttonopening 34 and the flexible button pad 40.

The front frame 12 preferably has six grasping protrusions 18 thatengage six mating portions 19 on the back frame 10. The protrusions 18preferably have a snap fit. That firmly secures the front frame 12 tothe mating portions 19 of the back frame 10 but may be easily removed bya user engaging the protrusions with a fingernail. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-7, this is accomplished with a ridge on the innersurface of the protrusions 18 that engages the mating portions 19 on theback frame 10.

The back frame 10 includes a variety of openings for the controls of themobile phone 4. These openings include an opening 16 for the camera onthe back of the mobile phone 4 and an opening 41 for the camera flaphinge, the power switch 31, the input-output connector 35, two bottommicrophones 37, up/down volume buttons 39, the headphone jack 43, andthe ringer on/off 33. The openings in the rigid hack frame 10 that havecorresponding plugs 47 or flap covers in the stretchable cover 6preferably have raised walls 45 surrounding sections of their perimetersthat form cavities that receive the corresponding plugs 47 on thestretchable cover 6 to form removable or rotatable covers over theopenings that increase their moisture and debris resistance whileallowing access to the phone controls underneath. Pads 49 are providedon the interior and exterior of the stretchable cover 6 to assist withactivating the control buttons through the stretchable cover. Fingergrips 55 are provided on the flaps 47 to assist in their opening.

The back frame 10 includes openings 51 on the back that receive raisedportions 53 on the stretchable cover 6. The openings 51 interact withthe raised portions 53 to minimize movement of the stretchable cover 6with respect to the back frame 10. In addition, the openings 51 assistin removing the mobile phone 4 from the back frame 10 when disassemblingthe case 2. A user can simply insert a finger into the openings 51 toapply pressure to the back of the mobile phone 4 which causes the mobilephone to be separated from (he back frame 10, which is preferablyprecisely sized to form a relatively tight fit with the phone.

Compressible pads arc positioned in shaped cavities 15 formed in theback frame 10 when the case is manufactured. The compressible padsensure that a mobile phone is firmly held in the case by compressionwhen the mobile phone is inserted into the back frame and apply pressureto the back of the phone which holds it firmly in place. Thecompressible pads 100 are best shown with respect to the embodiment ofFIG. 8.

The back frame 10 also includes a mounting opening or cavity 16 thatreceives the camera flap 8. The camera flap 8 protects a digital camerapositioned on the back of the mobile phone 4. The mounting cavity 16includes a mounting hole 17 that is used to pivotally mount the hingedcamera flap 8 so that it may be removed or rotated away from and overthe back camera of the mobile phone 4.

Features such as ridges 61 that male with corresponding cavities on thestretchable cover 6 are provided on the comer of the back frame 10 tofurther restrict movement of the back frame with respect to thestretchable cover.

The stretchable cover 6 is pulled over the back frame 10 with the mobilephone 4 inserted such that the mobile phone is held in place by thestretchable cover. The stretchable cover 6 hits a sunken or recessedfront portion 63 that corresponds to the shape of the front frame 12.The sunken from portion 63 of the stretchable cover 6 is surrounded byraised ridges that form bumpers 65 that protect the relatively rigidfront frame 12 and cushion the case 2 if it is dropped. The interior ofthe stretchable cover 6 includes depressions 73 and raised portions 71that correspond to depressions and raised portions on the back of thehack frame 10 such that the stretchable cover grips and is fixed withrespect to the rigid back frame. Channels on the underside of thestretchable cover 6 surrounding the front perimeter of the back frame 10mate with corresponding raised extensions 23 on the front perimeter ofthe back frame 10 to secure the back frame with respect to the cover.

The stretchable cover includes a button pad 40 that fits through theopening 34 in the front frame 12. The button pad 40 protects the controlbutton 42 on the front of the mobile phone while allowing it to be usedwhen the mobile phone is enclosed within the case 2. In addition, thecompression fit between the front frame 12 and the back frame 10 createsa water resistant seal between the button opening 34 and the button pad40.

The stretchable cover also has six openings 91, two on each side and oneeach on the top and bottom, that correspond to the grasping protrusions18 on the front frame 12 and through which the mounting portions 19 onthe back frame 10 extend.

Portions 81 of the stretchable cover 6 extend over the hack frame 10 andthe front of the mobile phone 4 when the mobile phone is mounted in theback frame and the stretchable cover is stretched over the mobile phoneand back frame. These portions 81 hold the mobile phone in the backframe 10 and stretchable cover 6 when the front frame 12 is removed.This configuration allows the touch screen of the phone to be cleanedand accessed without fully disassembling the case or removing the phone.Depressions, channels, grooves, or similar features 77 are provided onthe portions of the stretchable cover that extend over the mobile phone.These features 77 mate with corresponding features on the underside ofthe front frame 12 to further secure the front frame to the stretchablecover 6.

Raised shapes 93 formed on the back of the back frame 10 extend throughopenings 95 in the stretchable cover 6. As well as adding to the visualappearance of the case, these features 93 and 95 help prevent thestretchable cover 6 from moving with respect to back frame 10. Thestretchable cover 6 also includes raised portions 65 that extend beyondthe back frame 10 to cushion the case in the event it is dropped. Asshown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the raised shapes 93 may be octagons.

FIG. 8, shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosed case inunassembled form that is configured for a tablet computer 78. FIG. 9 isan illustration of a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in assembledform, and FIG. 10 is an illustration of a back view of the embodiment ofFIG. 9. These figures demonstrate how the concepts of the disclosed casemay be adapted for a variety of different types of devices. The caseincludes a front frame 72 back frame 74, and stretchable cover 76 whichenclose the tablet computer 78. The touch screen 80 is shown in FIG. 8prior to being bonded to the raised portion on the back of the frontframe 72 as discussed above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

The case has a hinged camera cover 90 that allows unobstructed access tothe camera of the tablet 78 though an opening 84 in the back frame 74while retaining the protective properties of the case. The tabletcomputer embodiment of the case shown in FIG. 7 also uses a hinged cover82 for the larger speaker of the tablet computer 78 which is accessedthrough a screen 86 formed in the plastic of the single piece back frame74

Compressible pads 100 are positioned in trapezoidal cavities 102 formedin the back frame 74. The compressible pads 100 ensure that the tabletcomputer 78 fits securely in the case without moving by applying aconstant pressure to a device installed in the case. The stretchablecover 76 also has a honeycomb structure of cavities 88 formed in itsback section which increases the cushioning effect of the siliconerubber.

FIG. 11 is an isometric front view of an embodiment of the disclosedcase in assembled form for a touchscreen digital music player. FIG. 11further illustrates how aspects of the disclosed case such as the frontframe camera opening 11 ft, cover bumpers 112, front frame buttonopening and cover 114 and control covers 116 may be reconfigured toaccommodate almost any particular device.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 whichillustrates the three main components of an unassembled device case fora touchscreen digital music player. The components include a back frame124 that receives the digital music player 130, a stretchable cover 126that stretches over the back frame 124 and digital music player 130. anda front frame 120 that clamps over the player, back frame, and cover. Ahinged camera flap 128 that is mounted in the back frame 124 is alsoprovided.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the inventiondisclosed herein. Although the various inventive aspects are disclosedin the context of certain illustrated embodiments, implementations, andexamples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that theinvention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to otheralternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obviousmodifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number ofvariations of various inventive aspects have been shown and described indetail, other modifications that are within their scope will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art based upon reviewing thisdisclosure. It should be also understood that the scope of thisdisclosure includes the various combinations or sub-combinations of thespecific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, suchthat the various features, modes of implementation, and aspects of thedisclosed subject matter may be combined with or substituted for oneanother. The generic principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limitedto the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Similarly, the disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintent that any claim set forth below requires more features than areexpressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive aspects may reside in a combination of fewer than allfeatures of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forthin the claims and summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein,including the figures, may be combined without limitation to form claimsfor a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or method ofuse.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective case for a portable device, theprotective case comprising: a back frame having one or more mountingportions: a stretchable cover having a button pad and configured tostretch over at least a portion of the back frame: and a front framehaving an opening and one or more grasping protrusions; wherein thefront frame is configured to clamp over a portion of the stretchablecover and the back frame, wherein when the stretchable cover isstretched over the back frame and the front frame is clamped over thestretchable cover, the button pad of the stretchable cover fits in theopening of the front frame. wherein at least one grasping protrusionmates with the corresponding mounting portion, and wherein the one ormore grasping protusions do not extend beyond the dimensions of the backframe when the front frame is clamped over a portion of the stretchablecover and the back frame.
 2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein thestretchable cover further comprises a mounting opening and the mountingportion on the back frame extends through the mounting opening.
 3. Theprotective case of claim 1, wherein the back frame further comprisesraised shapes formed on the back of the back frame and extending throughopenings in the stretchable cover, wherein the raised shapes areoctagons.
 4. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the back framefurther comprises a cavity on an interior surface of the back frame anda compressible pad mounted in the cavity, wherein when a portable deviceis inserted into the back frame, the compressible pad applies pressureto the back of the portable device.
 5. The protective case of claim 4,wherein the back frame further comprises a device opening that allows auser to remove the portable device from the back frame.
 6. Theprotective case of claim 1, wherein the stretchable cover extends over aportable device when the portable device is mounted in the back frameand the stretchable cover is stretched over the hack frame such that theportable device is held inside the back frame and stretchable cover. 7.The protective case of claim 1, wherein the back frame further comprisesraised portions that extend through openings in a back of thestretchable cover that restrict movement of the stretchable cover withrespect to the back frame.
 8. The protective case of claim 1, whereinthe back frame further comprises a screen formed in a microphone openingin the back frame.
 9. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the frontframe further comprises a speaker opening for a speaker, wherein thespeaker opening has a water resistant insert.
 10. The protective case ofclaim 1, wherein the back frame is shaped to receive a portable device.11. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the stretchable cover isconfigured to stretch over at least a portion of the back frame and theportable device when the portable device is mounted in the back frame.12. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the front frame furthercomprises a transparent screen protector.
 13. The protective case ofclaim 12, wherein the front frame further comprises a raised portion,and wherein the transparent screen protector is mounted on the raisedportion.
 14. The protective case of claim 13, wherein the stretchablecover further comprises a front cavity shaped to receive the raisedportion of the front frame to form a water resistant seal.
 15. Theprotective case of claim 1, wherein the stretchable cover furthercomprises bumper portions that extend past a front surface of the frontframe when the front frame is coupled to the back frame.
 16. Theprotective case of claim 1, wherein the stretchable cover furthercomprises a recessed sunken front portion that is shaped to receive thefront frame when the front frame is mounted on the back frame.